The 2008-09 season was a particularly fruitful one for Augusta Read Thomas who had eight world premieres in that season alone, including her Violin Concerto No 3, Juggler in Paradise in Paris. This September, the BBC Proms will present the young American soloist Jennifer Koh in performances of the third violin concerto with Jiří Bĕlohlávek conducting the BBC Symphony Orchestra.
Augusta Read Thomas © Michael Lutch Of the concerto, Ms. Koh states: “I first became immersed in Gusty's music through performing and recording her Pulsar for solo violin. I immediately realized that she understands the violin's expressive abilities. Juggler In Paradise is all about expanding upon the musical language that I found in Pulsar — It sends the violin through beautiful soaring gestures and spins it into distilled, concentrated rhythms in play with the orchestra.”
In addition, the Proms will feature a composer portrait concert of Thomas’ music which will include A Circle Around the Sun… for piano trio, Invocations for string quartet and Passion Prayers for cello and ensemble.